As international integration continues to be a key priority, the demand for foreign language education is surging, particularly in major cities. In response, a wave of new language centers has emerged, offering a diverse range of training programs to meet this growing need. But what are the actual requirements for establishing and operating a language center? What defines a “standard-compliant” center? This article from ECE Language Center provides you with the most up-to-date information!

1. Requirements for Establishing a Language Center in Vietnam

1.1. Legal Requirements

To establish a language center, investors must comply with several legal regulations as follows:

1.1.1. Business Registration Requirements

According to Article 2 of the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of Foreign Language and Informatics Centers (issued with Circular 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT), both individuals and organizations are eligible to establish a language center. However, larger-scale operations are typically better suited to organizations than individuals. Regardless of the entity type, a business license is mandatory.

Sample business registration certificate for ECE Language Center

Specifically, the business registration requirements are:

Entity: Individual or organization.
Business line code: 8559 – Foreign language education and training.
Registration dossier:

Application for business registration.
Draft of the company charter.
List of founding members/shareholders.
Certified copies of personal identification documents for the owner/members/founding shareholders.
Power of attorney (if applicable).
Charter capital: Minimum of 200 million VND for individuals and 1 billion VND for organizations.
Affiliation license (if involving foreign elements): If the center partners with foreign entities like IDP or the British Council, an educational affiliation license approved by the Ministry of Education and Training is required.

1.1.2. Requirements for the Establishment Plan

The establishment plan is a detailed document outlining the roadmap for setting up and operating the center. This is not only a document to attract investors but also a prerequisite for obtaining licenses from authorities and defining the center’s operational direction:

No.	CONTENT	DESCRIPTION
1	Overview	Center name, type, and proposed location. Rationale for establishment & relevant legal basis.
2	Goals & Operations	Objectives, functions, and duties of the center. Scope of operations & proposed training programs.
3	Scale & Resources	Training capacity & development plan. Facilities and equipment for training activities.
4	Personnel	Organizational structure & task allocation. CV of the Center Director. Introduction of the Director, Deputy Director (if any), and key staff.
5	Operational Regulations	Rules and organizational structure. Regulations on financial management, HR, and training.

***Note:

The content table can be adjusted based on the specific characteristics of each center.

The content and presentation must be logical, coherent, and easy to follow.

1.2. Facility Requirements

Facility requirements for establishing an English center

To ensure training quality and a conducive learning environment, facilities are a top priority. Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 48 of Decree 46/2017/NĐ-CP, a language center must meet the following facility standards:

No.	CONTENT	DESCRIPTION
1	Classrooms	Minimum area of 1.5m²/student. Adequate lighting and proper ventilation. Equipped with desks, chairs, whiteboards, projectors, sound systems, etc. Separate restroom facilities for students.
2	Functional Rooms	Library with English books and learning materials. Waiting area for students with comfortable seating.
3	Equipment	Computers, projectors, TVs, sound systems (speakers). Curricula and learning materials. Administrative documents and records.
4	Security & Fire Safety	CCTV surveillance system. Automatic fire alarm and suppression system. Fully equipped fire safety gear.

Modern facilities are fundamental to ensuring the teaching quality of a language center. Furthermore, high-quality, well-maintained facilities are a key factor in attracting students.

1.3. Human Resource Requirements

Every company varies in scale and staff size. However, regardless of the number of employees, they must meet standard quality requirements. According to the Ministry of Education and Training – Circular 28/2018/TT-BGDĐT, the requirements for human resources are as follows:

1.3.1. General Personnel Requirements

Possess appropriate degrees and certificates related to their expertise.
Have relevant teaching experience (specific requirements vary by center).

1.3.2. Requirements for Teachers

Pursuant to Clause 3, Article 18 of Circular 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT:

Vietnamese teachers are qualified to teach a foreign language if they meet one of the following:

Hold a college degree or higher in foreign language pedagogy;
Hold a college degree or higher in a foreign language and a pedagogical certificate.

Native speakers teaching a foreign language: Must hold a college degree or higher and a teaching certificate appropriate to the language and position.
Foreign teachers are qualified to teach a foreign language if they meet one of the following:

Hold a college degree or higher in foreign language pedagogy;
Hold a college degree or higher in a foreign language and an appropriate teaching certificate;
Hold a college degree or higher, a foreign language proficiency certificate of Level 5 or higher (based on the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam or equivalent), and an appropriate teaching certificate.

Additionally, if the center employs foreign teachers, it is necessary to obtain a work permit for the teaching position, a work visa, and a temporary residence card to ensure they can work and reside in Vietnam legally.

1.3.3. Center Director

The Director is responsible for managing and operating the center’s organizational structure and bears full legal responsibility before regulatory authorities. Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 6 of the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of Foreign Language and Informatics Centers, the Director must meet the following criteria:

Good character: No criminal record or history of legal violations.
Management capacity: Ability to lead, operate, and organize the center’s activities.
Academic qualifications: Graduate of a foreign language university or university graduate with a minimum Level 3 foreign language certificate (based on the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam or equivalent).

Vietnam Framework		CEFR
Elementary	Level 1	A1
Elementary	Level 2	A2
Intermediate	Level 3	B1
Intermediate	Level 4	B2
Advanced	Level 5	C1
Advanced	Level 6	C2

Level	Council of Europe (CEF)	Ucles	IELTS	TOEFL	TOEIC
Level 1	A2	KET	3.0	400/97	150
Level 1-2	A2 – B1	KET/PET	3.5 – 4.0	450/133	350
Level 2	B1	PET	4.5	477/153	350
Level 3	B2	FCE	5.0	500/173	625
Level 3	B2	FCE	5.25	513/183	700
Level 3	B2	FCE	5.5	527/197	750
Level 4	C1	CAE	6.0	550/213	800
Level 4	C1	CAE	6.25	563/223	825
Level 4	C1	CAE	6.5	577/233	850

(Pursuant to Decision No. 66/2008/QĐ-BGDĐT)

Experience in education and training: Current regulations do not specify a minimum number of years, but in practice, demonstrating approximately 1 year of experience is sufficient.
The Director is appointed by the competent authority that approved the center’s establishment. The term for a language center director is 05 years.

1.4. Curriculum Requirements

For a language center, the core value lies in the curriculum, as this is the primary product offered to customers. Pursuant to Clause 4, Article 48 of Decree 46/2017/NĐ-CP, a language center must:

Have curricula, materials, and equipment for teaching and learning that meet the requirements of the training program; have a library, laboratory, and other facilities to support training and scientific activities.

Requirement	Description
Alignment with goals	Designed to meet the center’s training objectives, including entry levels, desired exit levels, and duration.
Up-to-date & scientific	Incorporates the latest linguistic knowledge and teaching methodologies. Content must be presented logically and clearly.
Diverse content	Includes a wide variety of topics to provide comprehensive learning, along with practice exercises to reinforce skills.
Target audience suitability	Tailored to the specific age, academic level, and goals of the students.

Curricula are typically developed in two ways:

Self-developed curriculum:

Must be original and not copied from other sources (can reference international standards like Cambridge, IELTS, TOEIC for design).
Content must be tailored to student levels and needs while meeting general standards.

Using existing curriculum:

The center must select reputable educational publishers authorized for release in Vietnam.
If the curriculum has not been released in Vietnam, it must undergo appraisal and evaluation before implementation.

2. Procedures and Operational Requirements

2.1. Procedures for Establishing a Language Center

Steps to establish a language center:

Complete business registration and submit it to the Department of Planning and Investment or via the National Business Registration Portal.
Complete the application for center establishment and operational registration, then submit it to the Department of Education and Training.

***Note:

Prepare additional documents as required (if any).
Consult with a lawyer or expert to ensure all dossiers are valid.

2.1.1. Business Registration Dossier

No.	Document
1	Application for educational business license.
2	Draft of company charter.
3	List of founding members/shareholders.
4	Personal identification documents (ID card/Citizen ID/Passport) of the legal representative and founding shareholders (2 certified copies).
5	Power of attorney from the Director (if not submitting in person).
6	ID card/Citizen ID/Passport of the authorized person.

Processing time for the business registration certificate is typically 3 – 5 working days.

2.1.2. Registration of Establishment

For companies/enterprises establishing a language center:

No.

Required Documents

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